Many mutual fund companies will have a selection of index funds you can choose from. Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street Global are all considered market leaders for index funds. Check that the mutual fund company has the type of index fund you want before you buy. Going through a mutual fund company may be ideal if you plan to put in small amounts at a time into the index fund, as you usually will not be charged transaction fees for any deposits. Most brokers charge a transaction fee every time you put money into the fund so you may go with this option if you plan to invest in the fund once or very rarely. This may also be good option if you already have an account with a stockbroker or want to work with a broker rather than a large mutual fund company.   Keep in mind most brokers will also charge a small commission to process your purchase. Some brokers will offer free trades, with no commission fee, if you trade with them often or are a loyal client. You will need to provide the account and routing number for your bank account so you can collect returns on the index funds. The mutual funds company or broker may also access your bank account to collect the investment minimum for the index fund. Only provide your banking information to a company or individual you trust. If you are submitting this information online, make sure the site is secure and there are protections in place. Index funds usually have low fees and are cheaper to run than other funds or stocks. Look into the expense ratio for the index funds before you buy them. The mutual fund company you buy from or your broker should break down all fees associated with the index funds. In general, fees for an index fund attached to a large company are around 0.1-0.2 percent of the investment you make in the fund. This is usually a small fee compared to the return you will make. You will need to pay the investment minimum for the index funds as well as any commission fees. You will only need to pay the investment minimum once to obtain the index funds so you can start earning a return.
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One-sentence summary -- Buy from mutual fund companies who offer a range of index funds. Purchase the funds through a broker if you want a one-time investment. Provide your banking information. Pay the fees associated with the index funds. Pay upfront costs for the funds.


Cheddar cheese can be labeled mild, sharp, or extra sharp. The level of sharp indicates how long the cheese has been aged. The amount of aging increases as you go from mild to extra sharp. As the cheese ages, the texture of the cheese changes. Mild and sharp cheddar cheese have a smoother, creamier texture than extra sharp cheddar and will be easier to melt.  It will require more heat to melt extra sharp cheddar then to melt less-aged cheddar cheese. Mild and sharp cheddar cheese have a higher moisture content than extra sharp cheddar. You can shred cheese with a knife, box grater, or food processor. Using a box grater is the most common and easiest method. Grasp the cheese firmly in your hand and press the short end firmly against the blades of the box grater. Using localized pressure, move the block of cheese up and down along the grater.  It is best to shred the cheese while it is still cold. If you shred cheese when it is too warm, you will end up with mush. If you do not want to shred the cheese yourself, you can buy cheese that has already been shredded. However, the end result will be creamier and taste better if you shred it yourself.  If you’re having trouble shredding the cheddar, put it in the freezer for 10-30 minutes to harden it. Once grated, allow the shredded cheddar to remain out on the counter until it becomes room temperature. Doing this will lessen the length of time you’ll have to expose the cheddar to heat before it melts. Over exposure to heat will cause melted cheddar to become unpleasantly rubbery or greasy, so the less heat you have to use, the better. Pile the shredded cheddar into a bowl that can easily hold all of it, with room to spare. Do not place the cheese on a plate – when it begins to melt, it will run off the plate and you’ll have a melted mess to clean out of your microwave.
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One-sentence summary -- Start with mild or sharp cheddar. Shred the cheese. Bring the cheese to room temperature. Place the cheese in a microwave-safe bowl.


Try wearing a necklace with green stones and embellishments. Green earrings will have a similar effect. When it comes to choosing metal, go with the one that matches your skin tone. Warm skin tones look best in gold, whereas cool skin tones look best in silver.  For example, wear a silver drop pendant with a green stone as the focal point if you have a cool skin tone. Someone with a warm skin tone would look great in emerald or peridot earrings with gold metal accents. Since scarves, shawls, soft knit caps, and beanies are worn very close to your face, wearing them in shades of green can definitely make your eyes pop. Try wearing a matching jade green scarf and fuzzy knit cap to really set off the green in your eyes.  A pastel green scarf would look great with light green eyes. Get a dressier look by wearing an emerald-colored shawl or wrap. Since ties are worn near the face, you can use them to emphasize your eye color. Try wearing a smart jade green tie with your favorite dark blazer. For a softer look, try a seafoam green tie with a deep blue blazer.  Mix things up with a green on green striped tie. If you’re heading to a formal event and really want to make a splash, put on an olive-colored bow tie. Pull back your hair with a forest green headband or wrap your hair in an emerald green scarf for a retro look. Even small green accents can bring out your eyes, so play around with green bows, ribbons, barrettes, and clips. For a formal event, try a '20s-inspired clip-in hair piece adorned with peacock feathers.
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One-sentence summary --
Wear green jewelry. Opt for cozy winter accessories in your favorite shade of green. Put on a green tie for work or a special event. Experiment with green hair accessories.